In this tough job market there are few things which is better to avoid while searching for a job because, many recruiters have become very much tougher during the hiring process. Most of the time, the hiring managers will be searching for reasons to rule out most of the applicants. So, you need to get cautious while applying for a job. Here are the top 10 things you need to avoid while applying for a job to avoid giving a chance for the recruiters to reject your application. These tips were compiled by Vivian Giang of Business Insider which was taken from the popular book of Peter S. Herzog’s "How To Prolong Your Job Search: A Humorous Guide to the Pitfalls of Resume Writing,"-
1. Introductory Paragraph should not be more than three paragraphs:
While giving your introduction on your CV, you just need you include why are you sending that CV, how did you get to know about the job opening and also include about something specific like what kind of job you are looking for right now.
Don’t discuss about the pay package you are expecting on the CV, as that could be discussed after or during the interview process.
2. Mention your name and contact always at the top:
You may sound this advice as simple, but Herzog says that it is a universal rule which has been twisted from the past. Many people commit this mistake. So, always mention your name in bold face or at least mention it in regular capital letters. It will be good if you include your address and the contact number for the reference, but do not make the mistake of bolding it.
3. Don’t think that everyone knows your company even though it’s not well-known:
If the company for which you were working earlier was not a big and a popular firm, do mention a brief note about that company above your previous designation and the job function. Don’t forget to mention about your previous company thinking that your potential recruiters would know about the company even if it’s not so popular. If you provide a brief description about yourself you can make your position more credible.
4. Don’t mention about your objectives when it's not needed:
It is better not to mention your objective especially if you are about to enter a totally different area of work. This is because; every area demands its own aim and objective. So, it will be good if you avoid mentioning that, when those objectives don’t match with your own objectives.
5. Don’t mention your educational qualifications above your work experience:
If you are having more than 5 years of experience, it is better not to mention your educational qualifications before your work experience. But if you have about five higher educational degrees, then you can mention your educational qualification above the work experience, if the work experience is just two to three years. And while mentioning your educational qualification, always make sure you mention your recently earned degree at first and then continue the rest according to the descending order.
6. Avoid being arrogant:
Being humble to someone can make your efforts turn positive. It can be of a good favor for you. So, avoid mentioning or saying something like, ‘after reviewing my resume the recruiter would surely want to know more about me’, as these kind of languages shows your arrogance level. So, be humble and pleasing while writing a covering letter to the hiring manager or while telling it to someone.
7. Don’t mention any time gaps without an explanation:
You might have taken a few years or months of break from your professional life for some reason. It can be because of some personal reasons as well. While mentioning it in the resume, give an explanation for your time gap about why you took a break from your professional life. Don’t mention about the time gap without any explanation.
8. Avoid mentioning skills which are not valid for your job description:
Mentioning the skills you have got is really a good thing, but mentioning when it’s not at all needed is something which you need to think upon. Instead of mentioning unnecessary skills which is not needed for that particular job, mention some of the common skills like computer skills, about your achievements and awards, licenses etc.
9. Limit your details on the resume for one page unless the experience is more than 5 to six years more:
Every company has a fast moving hiring processes and nobody has the time to read the entire detail of yours which you have explained in two to three pages. So, always windup the details which you need to give in one page and make sure you mention only the specific details which they need to know about you. And if you have more than five to six years of experience then you can make use of a second page, that too if you have essential details which are to be included.
10. Avoid Confusing your potential employers at any cost:
This can be a major mistake which you can commit knowingly or unknowingly. If you include statements like, ‘references will be provided for your comfort’ and other such confusing statements, definitely your chances of rejection will increase. So, mention whatever you need, but mention it specifically and clearly to avoid such situations.
